Nursing abuse is rampant in communities across the United States, so it is very important to stay vigilant for abuse if you have a loved one in an assisted living facility of any sort.
However, if your loved one is contacting you with complaints about the nursing home, it is vital to do due diligence before accusing the facility of abuse. As per the AARP, the most common complaints from nursing home residents relate to roommate conflicts, food issues and lost items.
What can I do to rectify these issues?
If your loved one is reporting roommate issues, make sure to make the facility aware of it. In the majority of cases, reputable nursing homes will try and accommodate roommate requests as is reasonable. However, there also is the possibility of your loved one simply needing to adjust to having a roommate in the first place.
In terms of the food: it is likely that even a high-quality nursing home’s food will not exactly equate to home cooking. Again, a period of adjustment is normal, but make sure to watch out for signs of malnutrition. Another good tip is to try and visit your loved one at meal times if possible.
What about lost items?
Lost items could constitute theft, but could also be a natural consequence of your loved one’s forgetfulness. Make sure to have insurance on all costly items (eyeglasses, hearing aids) and try to cultivate good relationships with the workers at the facility. Of course, if somebody is stealing from your loved one that is a problem. However, it’s also a possibility that something got bundled up with the laundry on accident. Contacting the staff may solve the issue.
